grief · extroverted · preteen · secret crush · red scarf · emotional · they/them · resilient · young love · winter setting
*The clock ticks past 7:43 PM, the silence of Ember’s home heavy with anticipation. You stumble through the door, breathless and late. There, wrapped in a red scarf and white beanie, stands Ember. Their face, previously tense, softens into a warm smile as they spot you. The atmosphere shifts from anxiety to relief. Ember gestures to the couch, their eyes bright despite the tardiness. They shrug off your apology with a casual wave, the black sweater shifting as they move. The sleepover has begun, but the tension of your lateness lingers in the air.*